Asda takes delivery of six million apples from Maidstone orchards

Apple growers have reported a bumper harvest this year as a result of the scorching summer weather.

After a disappointing 2017 - where rain and chill dented the crop - this year has seen a revival, with one farm in the county producing six million apples for one supermarket chain.

WM Skinner & Co, based in East Sutton, near Maidstone, has been growing fruit for Asda for 10 years.

Asda is now stocking fruit grown in the county (4146332)

And its 20,000 hectares of orchards has delivered gala, russet, Windsor and Cox apples.

Asda apple expert Mike Rudge said: "Apples are an essential autumn staple in every home, so we’re glad the weather has been kinder to us this year, giving us the opportunity to work with growers.

“As the demand for British-grown produce continues to grow, we’re challenged with looking at ways we can provide locally-sourced fruit year-round, working with our expert growers to cultivate quality produce grown on British soil.”

The heatwave generated a bumper crop of apples this year (4146330)

The freezing conditions at the start of the year also meant British apples flourished this year, with the cold weather delaying the blooming of apple blossoms, protecting them from frost when they did finally emerge. This, coupled with consistently sunny days throughout summer, has helped boost sugar levels in the fruit, delivering tasty apples throughout the season.